Oyster Query

sumeet

If you are two adults and 4 year old, do you need an oyster card per person, I have one for myself but not the others, or can you get a 1/2 day family travel card?




Also if you use contactless, how does system work if charging reduced fare for child?

jon81uk

The four year old would travel for free as long as they are accompanied, no need for a ticket for them https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s/travelling-with-children?intcmp=25255#on-this-page-2 just go through the wider ticket gates and make sure they follow close behind.

The adults will need an Oyster card or contactless card per person.

sumeet

Thanks, assume the Zip Oyster card is only for 5-10 year olds, 4 year old can travel without anything?

wealdroam

sumeet wrote: »

...4 year old can travel without anything?

That's correct... as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

susancs

sumeet wrote: »

Thanks, assume the Zip Oyster card is only for 5-10 year olds, 4 year old can travel without anything?

Children aged 10 and under travel free on the underground, London overground and buses. They don't really need a zip 5-10 photocard unless they look older than 10 or are travelling without an adult on the underground or trains.

marksmith99

susancs wrote: »

Children aged 10 and under travel free on the underground, London overground and buses. They don't really need a zip 5-10 photocard unless they look older than 10 or are travelling without an adult on the underground or trains.

Just to confirm my understanding, to travel free on National Rail in London, even if with an adult, kids need the 5-10 Zip?

I got one for my son anyway as he is tall for his age and I didn't want any hassle, but when I read the rules about free National Rail travel it seemed like the Zip was needed, unlike the tube.

wealdroam

marksmith99 wrote: »

Just to confirm my understanding, to travel free on National Rail in London, even if with an adult, kids need the 5-10 Zip?

The link in post#2 should help to answer that, although it is a bit complicated.

From that link:

Under 11s can also travel free on the following National Rail services without a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard if they are accompanied by an adult who is using pay as you go, or has a valid ticket (excluding Group Day Travelcards), Freedom Pass or a Oyster photocard (up to four children per adult):

- Amersham to Marylebone (Chiltern)
- Finsbury Park to King's Cross/Moorgate (First Capital Connect)
- Stratford to Liverpool Street (Abellio Greater Anglia)
- Tottenham Hale/Seven Sisters to Stratford (Abellio Greater Anglia)
- Tottenham Hale/Seven Sisters to Liverpool Street (Abellio Greater Anglia)
- Upminster to Fenchurch Street/Liverpool Street via Barking (but not at Forest Gate/Maryland (c2c)
- Watford Junction to Euston (London Midland)
- Watford Junction to Clapham Junction (Southern)
- West Hampstead Thameslink to Moorgate/Elephant & Castle/London Bridge (First Capital Connect)
- West Ruislip to South Ruislip (Chiltern)

This map might also help.

susancs

marksmith99 wrote: »

Just to confirm my understanding, to travel free on National Rail in London, even if with an adult, kids need the 5-10 Zip?

I got one for my son anyway as he is tall for his age and I didn't want any hassle, but when I read the rules about free National Rail travel it seemed like the Zip was needed, unlike the tube.

A child aged 10 and under does not need a 5-10 zip oyster to travel free on London overground train services within London travel zones, unless they are travelling without an adult (e.g. travelling with an older sibling under 18) or to save them being challenged that they are over 10, if they look older. For example my two children when aged 10 and under could travel on London Midland trains from Euston (zone1) to Watford Junction (zone 9) for free with me, when I used my Oyster card. There are certain services out of London such as the Gatwick Express that children aged 5-10 years travel at half fare, as opposed to free.

marksmith99

susancs wrote: »

A child aged 10 and under does not need a 5-10 zip oyster to travel free on London overground train services within London travel zones, unless they are travelling without an adult (e.g. travelling with an older sibling under 18) or to save them being challenged that they are over 10, if they look older. For example my two children when aged 10 and under could travel on London Midland trains from Euston (zone1) to Watford Junction (zone 9) for free with me, when I used my Oyster card. There are certain services out of London such as the Gatwick Express that children aged 5-10 years travel at half fare, as opposed to free.

I'm afraid I think you're wrong and for much of the national rail network in London they do need the Zip whether accompanied or alone.

The post above yours by wealdroam lists the routes where this is not the case and you don't need a zip - the route you mention, Euston to Watford, is one of these specific exceptions.

For routes not listed you need a zip eg most train services in South London. This link seems to confirm this

https://londonist.com/2016/01/children-travel-for-free-on-trains-from-today

I wouldn't want people getting penalty fares because they think the national rail services operate like the tube where you don't need one.

wealdroam

lawley1010 wrote: »

I've just read this and I'm a bit confused. I'm taking my 9 year old to London in April, I have a visitor oyster card and was under the impression my son would travel free on underground - is this not correct?

I can only assume you have not yet read the webpage linked to in post#2.